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10 Best Colleges with Online Degrees in Web Design

Written by College Cliffs Team At CollegeCliffs.com, our team, comprising seasoned educators and counselors, is committed to supporting students on their journey through graduate studies. Our advisors, holding advanced degrees in diverse fields, provide tailored guidance, current program details, and pragmatic tips on navigating application procedures.

Reviewed by Linda Weems I got started researching colleges and universities about 10 years ago while exploring a second career. While my second career ended up being exactly what I’m doing now, and I didn’t end up going to college, I try to put myself in your shoes every step of the way as I build out College Cliffs as a user-friendly resource for prospective students.

Updated: March 28, 2024, Reading time: 20 minutes

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College Cliffs is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

With almost 70% of the world it has invaded, almost five billion daily users, and more than 576,000 new websites launched daily, the internet has made the world smaller by the day. It has revolutionized how we consume information and even influenced our behavior as product and service end users.

The Lowdown

As a student in online Web Design and Development, you will be immersed in the latest programming technologies and techniques, especially in the field of website construction and optimization. A Bachelor’s in Web Design and Development can qualify you for several roles in different sectors including government, business, education, science, and health.

Completing a Web Design and Development degree will provide you with adequate and systematic web design and development training from an accredited institution. When you choose an online program, you will get the benefit of learning at your own pace and earning the same degree as the students who attend traditional web design degree programs.

Quick audio summary:

This glaring knowledge is a clear and direct message that having the skill and technical knowledge to build and maintain websites is a lucrative career.

In the United States, web development and web design are rapidly growing professions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that career opportunities for skilled web developers will increase by 16% from 2022 to 2032. To date, web developers are earning an average annual salary of $80,730.

Web designers and developers build websites. The responsibility for ensuring the performance, appearance, and ease of use of websites is in their hands. Hence, the primary curriculum of web development and web design education consists of graphic design and web development courses, and multimedia tools.

Web developers and designers play a crucial role in the creation of efficient websites and software applications in the market.  

Online Bachelor's in Web Design - fact

If you love solving problems in systematic ways, have a keen interest in web technology, and manifest an innate sense for design and visual solutions, a degree in web design and development may provide you with a rewarding career.

If work, family, and other responsibilities prevent you from attending brick-and-mortar schools, you should look for colleges or universities that offer affordable online degree programs in web design and development.

A bachelor’s in web design and development is a degree that allows you to not only earn from your programming skills but also makes you a cut above the rest in this talent-centered society.

Earning a Web Development bachelor’s degree prepares you for a professionally and financially rewarding career. Apart from its capability to build stunning websites, it also helps you to develop useful business knowledge and skills like communication, writing, statistics, and project management. It will make you stand out from people who skip school to learn web design through free online resources.  

Methodology

Our list of top online undergraduate degree programs for aspiring web designers is centered on schools that offer a quality remote bachelor of science and bachelor of applied science in web design and/or web development programs.

We produced this list to give you an idea of which online school offering bachelor’s degrees in web design and development is most suitable for you based on your financial capability, schedule, and need for flexibility. We base our selection on these factors:

Get more information about our ranking process. Read our Methodology.

College Cliffs is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Best Online Bachelor’s in Web Design Degree Programs

Arizona State University

Arizona State University

Online Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Internet and Web Development

Arizona State University offers a Bachelor of Applied Science in Internet and Web Development program designed to provide you with a deep understanding of the principles of web design.

What Makes this Program Unique?

ASU’s BAS in Internet and Web Development is designed to add more to the existing knowledge and skills you gained from a related Associate of Applied Science degree.

Did You Know?

ASU is consistently listed as one of the top 25% of the country’s accredited engineering programs.

Baker College

Baker College

BS in Information Systems – Web Development Concentration

The online Bachelor of Science in Information Systems with a Concentration in Web Development at Baker College is designed to provide you with the knowledge and technical skills in information systems and web development.

What Makes this Program Unique?

Baker College offers a flexible learning format where students are allowed to control their learning based on their preferences, learning styles, and personal schedules.

Did You Know?

Baker College has an Academic Resource Center that provides several valuable services including a 24/7-accessible online library, virtual tutoring, and free lifetime employment assistance.

Bellevue University

Bellevue University

Bachelor of Science in Web Development

Bellevue University’s Bachelor of Science in Web Development degree is an accelerated cohort program. It intends to provide busy students with a simplified and manageable study experience.

What Makes this Program Unique?

Bellevue University’s online Bachelor’s in Web Design and Development program encourages students to register at the start of the program. The program administrators assign enrollees to a group until the completion of the program. It will allow students to share collaborative experiences and enable them to graduate with a solid network of web design professionals.

Did You Know?

Bellevue University has been designated the National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense between 2022 and 2027 by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

Champlain College Online

Champlain College Online - Online

Online BS in Web Design and Development

The Bachelor of Science in Web Design and Development online program at Champlain College is designed for working adults and to address the increasing demand for website construction specialists.

What Makes this Program Unique?

Champlain’s online bachelor’s degree program in web design and development allows you to choose a specialization either in web design or web development and earn a certificate for it, aside from the diploma that you will earn after completing the program.

Did You Know?

Champlain College’s online web design and development degree program comes with the “Fast Start Formula Career Bundle”. It is a suite of career tips and offerings consisting of online career coaching, live webinars, and an ebook that provides information on how recruiters work. This career bundle is designed to help you find and land a job you’ll love.

Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University

BS In Information Networking and Telecommunications, Concentration: Web and Mobile Application Development

Fort Hays University’s Bachelor of Science in Information Networking and Telecommunications with a Concentration in Web and Mobile Application Development is designed to equip you with design, coding, and animation skills that you can apply on websites and mobile devices.

What Makes this Program Unique?

FHSU’s web design and development degree program is built on the idea of media convergence or the interconnection of computer networks, media content, and information and communications technologies. It prepares you for the Oracle Certified Associate and Certified Web Designer Apprentice (CWDSA) certifications.

Did You Know?

FHSU is consistently listed as one of the top universities in the American Midwest. Ninety-five percent of FHSU graduates get employed after graduation.

Franklin University

Franklin University

Online Bachelor of Science in Web Development

Franklin University’s Online Bachelor of Science in Web Development is a comprehensive program that aims to expose you to several disciplines involved in the construction of functional enterprise-level websites.

Pursuing a web development degree program at Franklin University:

Franklin University’s academic programs are recognized by the Higher Learning Commission.

What Makes this Program Unique?

Franklin University’s online web development courses are taught by experienced web design specialists. It allows you to earn practical web development experience using industry-standard tools and provides you with the skills you need to build efficient next-generation websites.

Did You Know?

Franklin University allows students to lock in their tuition rate from their first day in school until graduation.

Full Sail University

Full Sail University

Online BS in Web Design and Development

Full Sail University offers an online BS degree program in web design and development designed to provide you with knowledge and understanding of the design, creation, and launching of modern websites and web applications.

What Makes this Program Unique?

FSU’s approach to education differs from typical universities. It immerses students in a fast-paced yet relevant learning experience. The university guarantees that their training offers multiple benefits to students.

Did You Know?

FSU has a program called Project LaunchBox. It aims to provide students with the technology they need to create projects. It also allows students to store and access their files, coursework, and multimedia creations 24/7.

Lewis-Clark State College

Lewis-Clark State College

BAS in Web Design and Development

Lewis-Clark State College tailors its Bachelor of Applied Science in Web Design and Development for individuals who have earned an associate degree in applied science. The BAS degree is intended for persons who aspire to attain higher education which is the key to career advancement.

What Makes this Program Unique?

The BAS is designed for individuals who have completed an Associate of Applied Science degree from a regionally accredited school.

Did You Know?

Lewis-Clark State College is dedicated to providing opportunities for higher education to people of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds. It is one of the most diverse institutions in the country.

Liberty University

Liberty University - Online

BS in Information Technology Web & Mobile Programming

Liberty University’s BS in Information Technology – Web and Mobile Programming is designed for individuals who want to embark on a career of creating websites to impact the lives of people in the modern world.

What Makes this Program Unique?

LU’s online bachelor’s degree in web design and development program has multiple start dates to make education more accessible and more flexible, especially for individuals who can’t attend traditional on-campus classes due to work, family, and other responsibilities.

Did You Know?

Liberty University is a Christian academy. Earning a degree from a Christian institution like Liberty University will allow you to learn from expert Christian professors.

University of Maryland Global Campus

University of Maryland Global Campus

Online Bachelor of Science in Web & Digital Design

The University of Maryland Global Campus offers an online Bachelor of Science in Web & Digital Design. The program is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills to perform digital works using industry-standard tools, design theories, and structured workflows.

What Makes this Program Unique?

UMGC’s online undergraduate degree program in web and digital design provides online students with the opportunity to develop their web design and related skills through lessons provided only by an expert and experienced faculty.

Did You Know?

UMGC is the 2022 top “Best for Vets” in Primarily Online Education. The university has been a consistent provider of higher education to working adults since 1948.

Common Courses in Online Bachelor's in Web Design Programs

Common Courses in Online Bachelor’s in Web Design Programs

Each Bachelor’s in Web Design and Development program has a unique curriculum. However, many of them offer similar courses, especially technical and creative subjects that enable students to understand the concepts, aesthetics, and functionality in web design and development.

Some core courses common to online web design programs include:

Introduction to Programming. As its title suggests, this course introduces students to the concepts, purpose, applications, and languages of computer programs. Students in this course learn to create flowcharts and write simple programs using web design software such as Adobe Dreamweaver.

Visual Design. This course teaches students about web design and develops their ability to conceive and create visually compelling web layouts. Topics covered in this course include imaging, color theory, workflow techniques, typography, and branding.

Digital Graphic Design for the Web. This course focuses on teaching online students about designing digital images for the web. It provides learners with a thorough understanding of the differences in design for desktop computers, mobile applications, and tablets. It also teaches students HTML and CSS and makes them understand and value of user experience.

Writing for the Web. This course covers the differences among the design strategies of different applications. Students get acquainted with HTML, CSS, and UX. They create a website by the end of the course.

Interactive Web Script. This course will make students learn and understand web scripting languages. A script is a short program that enables interactivity on a website. It can also refer to a programming language programmers use to customize, manipulate, or automate the facilities of an existing website.

Possible Careers for Graduates of Online Bachelor's in Web Design and Development

Possible Careers for Graduates of Online Bachelor’s in Web Design and Development

As stated earlier in this article, the career opportunities for web design and development professionals will grow by 16% from 2022 to 2032. As a graduate of an online web development bachelor’s degree, you can be one of the beneficiaries of this growth especially if you have accumulated sufficient knowledge, skills, and experience in web design and related jobs.

These are the possible careers that you can make in the information technology and web development fields:

Web Designer. A web designer conceptualizes and creates the visual design of websites and their pages. They are also responsible for the layout, color, typography, and branding of their creation. As a general rule, web designers are expected to create fast, easy-to-use, user-friendly, and visually appealing websites and web page designs both on desktop and mobile phones.

Average Annual Salary (Feb 2024): $67,858.00

Web Developer. Web developers are programmers who build websites and bring them to life through coding and programming. They are responsible for the functionality of the websites including their speed and capacity for traffic.

Average Annual Salary (Feb 2024): $94,434.00

Mobile Application Developer. As its name suggests, mobile application developers are programmers who are mainly responsible for creating mobile apps. They specialize in writing application programs for Google’s Android operating system or Apple’s iOS. They test the apps for bugs and problems before their official release. Like web designers and web developers, UX designers test newly constructed websites before making them accessible to the public.

Average Annual Salary (Feb 2024): $104,863.00

User Experience (UX) Designer. In the web technology field, a UX designer is a person whose main responsibility is to ensure that a website is fast, efficient, and easy to navigate. One of their main responsibilities is to understand their brand and its users and identify the users’ wants and pain points. The UX designer then maps out the final appearance and functionality of the website.  

Average Annual Salary (Feb 2024): $110,253.00

Graphic Designer. Graphic designers are responsible for the creation and supply of graphics, photos, and illustrations for a website. Their primary role is to ensure that a website is not only visually appealing but also able to communicate the brand’s message to its target audience.

Average Annual Salary (Feb 2024): $108,462.00

Who is eligible for the Bachelor in Web Design and Software Development program?

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the Bachelor in Web Design and Software Development program?

If you hold a high school diploma or its equivalent, then you are eligible for enrollment in this program.

How long does it usually take to earn an online Bachelor’s in Web design and Development degree?

Most undergraduate online web design and development programs consist of 120 to 124 credit hours which can be completed in four years.

Are web designers and developers in demand in the current job market?

Yes. The demand for web designers and web or software developers is so much higher than the average for all occupations. Earning a bachelor’s degree in web design and development degree will assure you of a rewarding career and a positive professional and financial future.

Key Takeaways

Pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in web design and development is an excellent way to secure a stable and rewarding career. It only takes a high school diploma and some minor requirements for you to qualify for admission. However, you need to be sure that the degree is aligned with your interests and capabilities.

Conducting thorough research on the available online bachelor’s in web design and development programs can help you to make a sound and informed decision, especially in selecting the school that suits your financial capability, subjects of interest, location, and schedule.

The best for someone else may not be the best for you. The reason we provide you with the best features of each institution is to allow you to find the school that can provide what you need.

Many of the programs listed offer affordable costs per credit hour. Yet they offer quality education like their pricey counterparts.

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